n. (pl. -ies)
1 a hut or cabin.
2 a crudely built shack.
Phrases and idioms:
shanty town a poor or depressed area of a town, consisting of shanties.
Etymology: 19th c., orig. N.Amer.: perh. f. Can.F chantier
2.
n. (also chanty) (pl. -ies) (in full sea shanty) a song with alternating solo and chorus, of a kind orig. sung by sailors while hauling ropes etc.
Etymology: prob. F chantez, imper. pl. of chanter sing: see CHANT
Useful english dictionary. 2012.